Michelle Ebanks

Bio:

Michelle Ebanks serves as President of Essence Communications Inc. and President of People en Español; responsible for advancing Time Inc.’s businesses within the nation’s fastest growing population segments: African-Americans and Hispanics. As President of Essence Communications Inc., Ebanks leads the number one media and communications company dedicated to African-American women. The organization is comprised of diverse media and entertainment properties with total brand reach of 12 million including ESSENCE magazine, the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women; ESSENCE.com, the award-winning, daily online destination for African-American women; and the internationally renowned Essence Festival, one of the largest annual live events in the world attracting more than 540,000 attendees to New Orleans during July Fourth weekend. Ebanks joined ESSENCE in March 2001 as Group Publisher. Since then, within an increasingly competitive media landscape, ESSENCE continues to increase its market share and remains well-positioned to serve its audience through innovative brand extensions, and expanding the ESSENCE brand across a number of multiple platforms, including digital, television, live events and social media. Recently named to the additional post of President of People en Español, Ebanks is responsible for managing the strategic development of one of the nation’s top-selling Hispanic magazines, reaching 7.3 million readers every month. The brand, including online property Peopleenespanol.com and the annual Festival in San Antonio, shares cultural values, beliefs and distinct narratives that resonate deeply with one of the fastest growing groups in the United States. Working closely with the People en Español management team, Ebanks is poised to take this exceptional brand to even greater heights particularly in the areas of live events, online, and magazine growth. Ebanks began her 15-year career at Time Inc. as the general manager and financial director for Time Inc.’s Money magazine. Subsequently, she was a vice-president in Time Inc.’s corporate division, where she led the acquisition of ESSENCE. Prior to joining Time Inc., she served as corporate business manager for Condé Nast’s 13 titles. Ebanks was appointed to the Board of Directors of Nordstrom, as well as the YMCA’s Arts & Letters Committee. She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and enjoys mentoring women and men from around the world.